British label Chess Club is newly independent after an investment from Red Light Management and ATO Records founder Coran Capshaw and a worldwide distribution deal with AWAL. These moves end its JV with Sony label RCA.

Founded by Will Street and Peter McGaughrin in 2007, Chess Club has released early recordings from an impressive roster of talent including Wolf Alice, Jungle, Mumford & Sons, Swim Deep, MØ, Chet Faker, Sundara Karma and Billie Marten.

In 2012, the label entered into a JV with Sony with the idea of developing singles artists into album acts. Fruits of that partnership include RCA signings MØ, Billie Marten and Sundara Karma.

Chess Club will continue to be A&R’d by artist manager McGaughrin and Street, who has left his post as A&R at RCA. The investment from Capshaw means the label will have access to Red Light’s offices and resources worldwide, and the ambition is to become a “significant force in the independent label world.” Upcoming releases will include music from Bloxx, Alfie Templeman, Yaeger, Phoebe Green and Casi & The Blind Harpist.

Discussing the news, Street said: “Chess Club has always had an independent heart. An indie ethos and culture has been at the center of everything we have built, from our approach to releasing music to collaborating with artists. So to now have the opportunity to fully stand on our own two feet and be the masters of our own destiny is very exciting. I’m really looking forward to being able to work with a diverse range of creative and inspiring artists.”

McGaughrin added: “Having partnered with Red Light for my management business, I’ve seen first-hand how rich the worldwide resource in touring, marketing, radio, brands, festivals is within the company is and how long-term artist development is the core philosophy. It feels like a natural fit and we’re excited for the next phase of Chess Club”

Capshaw said: “We’re very pleased to partner with Will Street and Peter McGaughrin to help them take Chess Club into a new chapter. Over the past 10 years, Chess Club has shown consistently good taste and ambition in their A&R approach to unearthing and developing exciting new artists globally. With our infrastructure around them, I’m confident we can grow a successful roster together and it will be a valuable partnership in our masters business alongside ATO Records.”